Mexican Pier Damage Forces Royal Caribbean, NCL Ships to Skip Visits
On January 22, 2024, Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas skipped a scheduled stop at Costa Maya, Mexico. The cancellation was due to reported damage at the cruise pier, which made docking unsafe for the vessel.
Impact on Passengers and Itinerary Changes
Passengers aboard Grandeur of the Seas were informed in advance of the cancelation. A message shared on social media explained that the “port stop at Costa Maya [was] cancelled due to damaged pier.” A letter issued to guests apologized for the last-minute change, emphasizing the ship would instead enjoy a “sea day.”
Guests were reassured about refund options. All pre-paid shore excursions would be automatically canceled and credited back to their SeaPass accounts. Remaining credits would be refunded to the original payment method at the end of the cruise.
Details of the Voyage
Grandeur of the Seas is currently on a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise originating from Tampa, Florida. The ship departed on January 17 and had earlier stops in Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and Belize City, Belize. It is scheduled to return to Florida on January 24.
Other Ships Still Visiting Costa Maya
On the same day, other cruise ships managed to dock at Costa Maya. Harmony of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, and TUI’s Mein Schiff 1 were confirmed to have arrived as planned. This suggests that the damage was localized to a specific area of the pier.
Norwegian Encore’s Schedule Adjustment
In addition to the Grandeur of the Seas, the Norwegian Encore also skipped Costa Maya. Passengers were informed of the itinerary change, which was attributed to circumstances “beyond [their] control.” As a result, guests aboard Norwegian Encore were offered an overnight stay at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay. This marks a significant historic event as it is the first overnight visit for Norwegian guests.
What to Expect at Great Stirrup Cay
- Opportunity to visit the island after dark
- Celebration activities centered around the new Great Life Lagoon pool area
- Glow Party scheduled from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Access until 5:00 p.m. the next day to enjoy beaches and amenities
About Grandeur of the Seas
The Grandeur of the Seas, which entered service in December 1996, is the oldest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. It measures 73,817 gross tons and has a passenger capacity of nearly 2,000 at double occupancy. In contrast, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Star of the Seas, boasts over 248,000 gross tons with capacity for more than 5,600 guests.
Grandeur will continue to operate Caribbean cruises from Tampa until May 2026 before moving to focus on Central and South America in the following years.
